As any farmer will attest to, herbicide-resistant weeds are a growing concern on the Canadian Prairies. In fact, it’s estimated they cost farmers in Western Canada as much as $530 million annually in lost yields and alternative weed management practices. Charles Geddes, a research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), who specializes in weed […] Read more
Herbicide-resistant weed update for Saskatchewan
Your biggest herbicide-resistant weed threats for 2023 based on the latest survey results
How to reduce canola combine losses
A recent PAMI study shows canola combine grain losses can be significant. Here’s what you can do
Combine grain loss is a fact of life for most canola growers on the Canadian Prairies. A recent study conducted by the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (PAMI) provided a snapshot of how significant those losses can be and what producers can do to reduce them. The On-Farm Survey of Combine Grain Loss in Canola Across […] Read more
What to expect from international workers to address labour shortfalls
Benefits include dedicated, skilled and experienced farm workers
Like many western Canadian farmers, Chris Raupers has struggled at times when it comes to finding experienced workers to fill positions on the 6,500-acre grain farm he operates near Cardale, Man., with his wife, Lindsey, and their three children. He’s hardly alone in that regard. A report released by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business […] Read more
Tips for flea beetle control
The pros and cons of insecticide seed treatments and in-season foliar sprays, application advice and a concerning trend
On average, more than 22 million acres of canola are planted in Western Canada each spring. Flea beetles will damage or destroy a significant portion of those cropped acres in any given year. What can farmers do to best protect their crops? The two most common options are treated seed and insecticide sprays. Insecticide seed […] Read more
Top tax tips and traps for 2022
Tax strategies, common pitfalls and how new legislation will affect your tax return
It’s mid-February and that means one thing for countless Canadians — tax time is right around the corner. That includes farmers on the Prairies who are busily gathering reams of information to prepare their 2022 tax returns. It’s something Matt Bolley is quite familiar with. Bolley is a business advisor and partner with MNP’s tax […] Read more
Strategies to increase your field’s potential
A panel discusses the importance of soil structure, tile drainage benefits and using precision ag and conservation to increase farm profitability
Farming has existed in one shape or form for more than 10,000 years. While farming methods have evolved considerably over that time, one thing that has remained the same is a desire among producers to get the most possible out of their land. Improving every acre was the focus of a panel discussion at Canola […] Read more
Ag tech: Look before you leap
Consider these factors before you put your money into the latest ag innovation
Although it’s easy to be smitten with the latest precision agricultural technology, one expert in the field advises people to look before they leap when it comes to adopting the technological innovations on offer. “Do your homework and know that the return on investment or the value of a technology on one farm is not […] Read more
How to build healthier soil
Farmers discuss what works for them at Alberta Pulse Growers seminar
Ask a dozen people for a definition of soil health and odds are you will get 12 different answers in response. John Kolk is managing partner of Kolk Farms Conrich, located near Picture Butte, Alta., and is chair of the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute. He was also one of the speakers on a soil health […] Read more
More canola in the Brown soil zone?
While it may not be an ideal fit for this oilseed crop, farms in the area known as Palliser’s Triangle could see a big boost in canola acreage. Here’s why
Palliser’s Triangle is considered one of the most arid sections of the Canadian Prairies and led the man for whom it is named to once remark the area wasn’t fit for man nor beast due to its sandy soil and unpredictable rainfall. Although that may have been true when Capt. John Palliser mapped the area […] Read more
New tool for grain marketing at your fingertips
Combyne marketing app built for grain producers
A new software system developed by a Canadian tech firm promises to make grain marketing easier and more efficient for farmers across the country. Combyne was developed by Alain Goubau and his Ontario-based company, Combyne Ag. It was released to the public in November 2021 and is available for mobile devices and computer desktop use. […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
